Posts by Lost
Camping regulations will vary according to area and land designation (wilderness, travel restricted, winter closures, etc...). Always check with the local Ranger District to get the details. That ...
If you absolutely must have a fire, reset your thinking from "fire pit" to "fire mound" Creating a fire mound is a great way to enjoy a back-country fire with little to no impact to the ground / v...
The only way to judge the depth of water with any certainty is to get in it, swim around, and dive repeatedly to the bottom searching for objects (trees, boulders, the body of the last person who l...
Gaiters can be used on any shoes... even sandals. Of course their efficacy might be limited. The biggest thing to consider is how low the gaiters ride on the body of the shoe. If you cinch the b...
The answer will vary depending on WHERE you are: Desert: Lots of dry rock. Lots of ledges. Lots of snakes. Better to look before you leap over one. And, you get pretty good at judging which rocks ...
According to this blog: http://blogs.militarytimes.com/gearscout/2013/01/21/down-is-coming-from-arcteryx/ it simply refers to Arc'teryx getting into the down game at all (previously having no down ...
Good hygiene is a highly subjective benchmark. Clean enough for comfort might be different than clean enough for company. Ocean water, albeit salty, is water. You can bathe with it, wash clothes w...
The first part of your question: "why non SNS bindings for NIS plates" seems to be purely a matter of proprietary systems and corporate competition. SNS is Solomon's baby, NIS is a collaborative be...
Inflatable pillows blow. (Get it? Ha ha! I kill me.) Seriously though - after years of battling inflatables (sticky in hot climes, slippery, hard to breathe when you are face down in them) I've fo...
Should I understand a water source to mean a spring/well, or any place where hikers may collect water (streams, lakes, etc.)? Yes. Any source of water - no matter how large or small - should...
The two biggest risks from gouges: Core Shot: This is when the gouge cuts through the base material* to the core layers of the ski (usually wood or composite material). If moisture gets in betwee...
There are two types of water-based concerns while doing strenuous activity in the desert: dehydration and hyponatremia. Dehydration occurs when your body is not getting enough water, and is the mo...
Just grab and pull. Seriously, after years living in the leach-infested tropics where I would find 20 or so on me just from walking up to base-camp for breakfast, the only wrong way to remove a le...
From the GRCA back-country permit site: Permit Responses Permit requests are responded to through U.S. Mail - never by fax or e-mail. Due to the volume of requests received, the park can...
First, lets dispel a common myth: Rock fire rings do absolutely nothing to contain, corral, or control a fire. That being said, a fire needs 3 things: air, fuel, and heat. An overabundance of one ...
Adding to Steeds self-answer. Other ways to warm up fingers and toes: Wiggle your fingers and toes vigorously (while walking, while sitting) - circulation is aided by muscle movement. Sprint (if ...
I would wager that such a thing does not exist. Of the attachments you mention, only one (sharp spear) seems practical. Issues with the others: Camera mount: as rory-alsop mentions, it would make...
I have found sleeping with my boots inside the bag is the ONLY way to go when it is really cold out. Moderately cold, sure you can tough out the re-thaw in the morning - but real cold... forget it....
I doubt there is an "industry standard" of what each of those mean, but in general I have noticed: Sleeping bag liners tend to be narrower, and come in mummy-bag and regular: mummy bag style ten...
By engaging in winter sports (where there is significant snow on the ground) you are already greatly reducing your impact. The biggest impacts to back-country areas from non-motorized recreation co...
Any Wilderness Areas. Seriously. The legal mandates for designating "Wilderness" in the US (as defined by congress) have very rigorous criteria established by each of the major land agencies. Take...
Climbing: Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills Canoeing: Backpacking: Backcountry cooking: NOLS Cookery Bike touring: Telemark Skiing: Allen & Mike's Really Cool Telemark Book
I've hiked with photographers, painters, sketchers, and writers... two things that will help: Make time for it. Sometimes you have to choose: draw, or hike up that ridge. Put the supplies in the ...
If you want the fastest sled in just about all snow conditions, get yourself one of these: Not fast enough? Add more dogs. (Though I can't in good conscience recommend more than 18. And make sur...
You have heard both answers because both are right depending on the area and ecosystem. Established trails: If there is an established trail going where you need to go, you should stay on it. Even...
